Encapsulated PostScript

It is possible to use the GKS PostScript driver in order to produce output files in the format Encapsulated Postscript, which is used by various text-processors (TeX, SGML, BookMaster, etc.) in order to combine PostScript-encoded data originating from different sources. Encapsulated Postscript format is similar to standard PostScript but with some additional header information concerning the picture size. The PostScript instruction "showpage" which is normally included at the end of the file in order to tell the interpreter to print the preceeding information is removed in the Encapsulated format. This avoids any conflict with the contents of other PostScript files into which the Encapsulated file may be embedded. Thus, sending an Encapsulated PostScript file to a printer directly will not produce any output.

It is possible to use GRCONV to convert a GKS metafile to Encapsulated PostScript format by specifying the requisite qualifier ('EPSPM', ...). If the input metafile contains several pictures it is also possible to use the 'SPLIT' option in order to get one output file per picture.

If a PostScript file is to be produced directly by a GKS application program then the following applies:

1. Open a GKS PostScript Workstation. The Workstation Type is the same for both normal and Encapsulated PostScript formats.
2. As for all drivers, if the connection identifier is less than 100 (see on Page ) then the PostScript instructions are sent directly to the terminal. (Useful if the terminal supports Display PostScript).
3. If the connection identifier is greater than 100 but less than 200 (conid = 100 + n), then PostScript instructions will be written to a file in normal PostScript format opened on unit number 'n'. The file may include several pictures.
4. If the connection identifier is greater than 200 (conid = 200 + n), then PostScript instructions will be written to a file in Encapsulated PostScript format opened on unit number 'n'. Only one picture should be included per file.